Adjustable supporting plate for surface condensers



J. F. GRACE ADJUSTABLE SUPPORTING PLATE` FOR SURFACE CONDENSERS Filed Dec. 12. 1928 :hinunter JOHNF., Gams@ Gttorueg Patented Aug. 12, 1930 unirse erratas earner orties JOHN F. GRACE, OF ARLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WORTHINGTON PUMP AND MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION F VIR- GINIA ADJUSTABLE SUPPORTING PLATE FOR SURFACE CONDENSERS Application filed December 12, 1928. Serial No. 325,623.

This invention relates to steam condensers of the surface type and an object of the invention is to provide a support plate construction, for supporting the water circulating tubes of the condenser, intermediate their ends in such manner as to prevent rattling or movement of the tubes in the tube holes of the support plate during operation of the condenser.

More specifically, the invention comprehends a support plate structure for supporting the tubes in a surface condenser, which support plate structure embodies adjustable means moveable to permit free removal or l5 insertion of the tubes of the condenser and adjustable to tightly grip the tubes and to prevent their movement relative to the support plate during operation of the condenser. With these objects in view, the invention consists in various features of construction and combination of parts, which will be first described in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing an adjustable supporting plate for surface condensers of the preferred form embodying the invention, and the features forming the invention will be specifically pointed out in the claims.

ln the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a condenser showing parts thereof broken away to illustrate the improved support plate.

Fig. 2 is a cross section through the condenser taken kon the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed view showing the support plate struct-ure in section and illustrating the construction during operation of the condenser.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the parts in position for removal of the tubes for repair or replacement.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the condenser 1 may be of any approved type of surface condenser utilized for the condensing of steam and it includes the shell 2 through which the water circulating tubes 3 extend for permitting circulation of the cooling water through the condenser. ln condensers of this type, the tubes 3 are relatively small and long, extending from one of the 0 water boxes 4 of the condenser to the other,

and owing to their size and lengththey have a tendency to sag in the middle, due to their weight and the weight of the cooling water flowing therethrough, as well as the action of .incoming steam thereagainst.

In approved types of condensers, the-tubes are supported at longitudinally spaced points by support plates, which support plates are drilled to permit the insertion of tubes therethrough. Owing to the length of the tubes and the fact that they must be slid longitudinally through holes in the support plate, it is necessary to make the holes slightly larger than the outside diameter of the tubes, which results in rattling or noise caused by vibration of the tubes in the holes in the support plate during operation of the condenser.

In the'present invention, such rattling or movement of the tubes relative to the support plate is eliminated by the particular construction of support plate involved.

The support plate embodied in the present invention, comprises a rigid plate 10, which is anchored to the condenser shell 2 by suitable anchoring blades 11, and which is drilled to provide openings or holes 12 through which the tubes 3 are inserted. As clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the openings 12 are larger in diameter than the tubes 8, so as to facilitate the insertion of the tubes through the rigid support plate l0. A moveable support plate 15 is provided which extends parallel to the rigid plate 10 and is slidably guided at its upper end by a suitable guide 16, which may be formed upon or cooperate with the attaching brackets `11 yat the top of the support plate 10. The moveable support plate 15 is provided with openings 17 through which the tubes 3 are inserted. The moveable support plate 15 has the coupling 18 attached toits lowermost portion, which coupling serves as a stop and guide for the upper end of thespring 19. The lower end of the spring 19 engages an adjustable guiding stop 20, which is carried by an adjusting screw 21. The adjusting screw 21 is threadable in the collar 22 of the cover plate 23 of the housing 24. The housing 24 houses or encloses the spring 19, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. A cover cap 25 is shown mounted over the outer end of the adjusting screw 21.

When it is desired to insert the tubes 3 into the condenser or remove them therefrom for the purpose of replacement, the adjusting screw 21 is adjusted to relieve the tension of the spring 19, which permits the movable support plate 15 to move downwardly and bring the openings 17 thereof into alignment with the openings 13 in the stationary support plate 10. When the tubes ha ve been all properly placed or replaced in the condenser, the adjusting screw 21 is adjusted for urging or forcing the moveable support plate upward, which causes the movable support plate 15 to urge the tubes 3 upwardly, bringing them into binding engagement with the upper walls ofthe openings 12, while they are forced into binding engagement with the lower wall portions of the openings 17, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, thereby securely binding the tubes in place so as to prevent rattling or movement of the tubes relative to the support plate during operation of the condenser.

It will be understood that the invention. is not to be limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown but that these may be modified widely within the invention defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a condenser, the combination with a plurality of tubes, of a support plate structure for said tubes including a rigid plate provided with openings for receiving said tubes therethrough and a movable plate, said moveable plate eing moveable to provide binding action on said tubes to prevent their movement relative to the support plate structure and further moveable to relieve the binding action on the tubes to permit their withdrawal from or movement into the condenser.

2. In a condenser, the combination with a plurality of tubes, of a support plate structure for said tubes including a rigid plate and a moveable spring-supported plate, said moveable plate being moveable to provide binding action on said tubes to prevent their movement relative to the support plate structure and further moveable to relieve the binding action on the tubes to permit their withdrawal from or movement into the condensers.

3. In a surface condenser, the combination, of tubes, a supporting plate structure therefor comprising a rigid support plate and a moveable support plate disposed in close parallel relation, said rigid and moveable plates provided with tube receiving openings, and an adjusting screw connected to said moveable plate for moving it to provide binding action on the tubes between the rigid and' moveable plates or to relieve said bindingv action.

4. In a, surface condenser, the combination,

of tubes, a supporting plate structure therefor comprising a rigid support plate and a moveable support plate disposed in close par-y allel relation, said rigid and moveable plates provided with tube receiving openings, and yieldable adjustable means for moving said moveable plate into or out of tube binding position.

5. In a surface condenser, the combination, of tubes, a. supporting plate structure therefor comprising a rigid support plate and a moveable support plate disposed in close parallel relation, said rigid and moveable plates provided with tube receiving openings, a supporting spring at the lowermost portion of said moveable plate and means for regulating the tension of said spring.

6. In a surface condenser, the combination, Of tubes, a supporting plate structure therefor comprising a rigid support plate and a moveable support plate disposed in close parallel relation, said rigid and moveable plates provided with tube receiving openings, a supporting spring at the lowermost portion of said moveable plate, and an adjusting screw for regulating the tension of said spring to provide binding action on said tubes by said moveable plate or to relieve such binding action.

7. In a condenser, a shell, water boxes, tubes extending from one water box to the other through said shell, a support plate structure for said tubes comprising a moveable support plate provided with openings larger than the diameter of said tubes and through which said tubes extend and yieldable means acting on said support plate to force it into binding engagement with said tubes.

8. In a surface condenser, the combination with a plurality of tubes, of a support plate structure, including a moveable support plate provided with openings to receive said tubes therethrough, a spring engaging said moveable plate to urge into binding engagement with said tubes and adjustable means for relieving the tension of said spring to relieve the binding action on said tubes.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

. JOHN F. GRACE. 

